Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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43. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which provision is being made or will be made to meet the full requirement of student accommodation adjacent to schools or colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23226/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All.

I am progressing a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation.

Last month, the Taoiseach and I announced the capital investment of €100m from the National Development Plan windfall allocation for delivery of student accommodation projects. This enables further activation of Phase 1 of UCD’s 493 bed project, the progression of the Maynooth project (116 beds) to the construction stage and the DCU project (405 beds) through tender stage.

The long term policy approach was approved by Government on 16th January 2024. The approach includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation through state support, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing stock and vacancy while supporting balanced regional development. It will continue to have a focus on the provision of digs accommodation. It is important to recognise the role and provision of supply from the private sector in key campus locations.

My officials and the HEA are working intensively on options proposals from the TU sector. This process includes engagement with local authorities on potential refurbishment projects and new build proposals. An initial assessment report is expected from the HEA by end May, outlining the next phase of the proposal development.

We have extended measures under the Rent a room scheme to increase supply for students, including an income disregard for SUSI and medical card eligibility and expansion for local authority tenants to participate in the scheme for students.

I can advise that the total level of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation stock stands at over 48,000 with publicly owned or operated student accommodation beds accounting for 15,519 and the remainder being privately owned and operated.

Current supply figures indicate that 14,599 purpose built student beds have been built since 2017. Of these, an additional 1,021 publicly funded beds were completed in 2023, 674 in UG, 80 in UL, 9 in TCD, 3 in MIC and 255 in UCC. In addition, 459 private beds were completed.

According to the information available to the Department work is underway on site on an additional 1,974 bed spaces while planning permission has been obtained for a further 11,102 beds. It should be noted that this number could include projects where planning was granted but the project never progressed further than that or may be on hold. Planning applications in respect of a further 2,016 beds have been sought.

As of 30th April, the Higher Education Institutions have indicated there are approximately 2,178 beds available in digs accommodation nationally.